MSc
Master of Science Lead Design
Master the design of user-centered digital experiences.
1st year postgraduate, 3rd year undergraduate
Work-study
September
Paris
This program is open and accessible to individuals with disabilities
RNCP qualification
level 7 “Artistic Director”
95%
Net employment rate 6 months after graduation*
TOP 2
Le Figaro Étudiant ranking of communication schools 2025
+10 000
companies that recruit our students
*Qualimétrie integration report, employment after 6 months (class of 2023)
master of science
Reasons to do this programme
There is a high demand from companies for digital design professionals. With the growing importance of the experience economy, brands are looking for people who understand the strategic challenges and usage contexts of their customer-users.
What are the training objectives?
This professionally-oriented course aims to train lead designers (hybrid UX/UI profiles).
From understanding the strategic issues to interface design, taking the end user into account and leading workshops, students will learn about the different phases of an innovation project.
What are the key skills developed during this training?
- Build and analyse a strategic and technical watch approach in the creative field tailored to the client’s needs
- Devising the creative strategy and budget for a creative project
- Conceptual and visual design
- Steering the operational implementation of creative projects
- Managing a lead design project
Which campuses offer this course?
the courses
What are the Lead Design specialisation courses?
The Lead Design specialisation offers a wide range of courses enabling you to build up technical, functional and aesthetic expertise. In particular, you will cover the following topics
60 ECTS credits – 455h
- Designing Digital Experiences
- UX Fundamentals
- Art Direction
- Creation and Emerging Technologies
- UX/UI
- Design Thinking
- Motion Design
- Audiovisual Production and Direction
- Cognitive Sciences
- Eco-Design
- Project Management
- Creative Writing
- Creative Techniques and Strategies
- Product Design
- Prototyping Tools
- Pitching Your Project
- Trend & Industry News Review
La Grande Compet’
Students form multidisciplinary teams to respond to a real-world client brief presented by a real brand. Their mission: to respond to a challenge related to customer acquisition or loyalty.
The courses listed are provided as examples and may vary in order to better align with market needs and certification requirements.
60 ECTS credits – 455h
- Experiential Strategy
- Branding & Design Systems
- Design Workshop Creation
- Interface Design & Prototyping
- Digital Project Deployment
- Innovation & Experience
- Ethical and Sustainable Design
- Structuring User Interviews
- User Behavior & Usage Patterns
- User Testing
- Sociology & Behavioral Design
- Collective Intelligence & Facilitation
- Creative Process
- Figma
- Design Thinking (Level 2)
- Portfolio Showcase Day
- Masterclass
The “For Good” Project
What service or product should be created? To meet which user need? For which audience? With what brand positioning? Students collaborate across disciplines to imagine and design a fictional start-up that creates positive impact.
The courses listed are provided as examples and may vary in order to better align with market needs and certification requirements.
Various assessment methods are applied for this specialization:
- Individual case study with a written report
- Individual case study with both a written report and oral presentation
- Group-based professional simulation with a written report and oral defense
- Professional simulation involving the design and development of a digital product
A professional work placement in a company is also required during the course of the program.
Learning on the job
Professional experience
Studying at Sup de Pub means taking charge of your future and preparing for the job of your dreams! On work placements or sandwich courses, our students acquire all the skills and knowledge they need to start their professional lives in the best possible conditions.
How does the MSc sandwich course work?
In the MSc, the average work-study pattern over the 2 years is one week in the classroom and two weeks in the company.
What work-linked training contracts are available?
2 types of contract: apprenticeship contract or professional training contract.
Will the school help me find a work-linked training scheme?
We support you with coaching workshops, job datings and the sharing of job offers from our 10,000 partner companies.
Check out the work-study timetable for
the Lead Design program
Paris
Companies that recruit our students
What career opportunities are there after this course?
The Lead Design program prepares you for careers in a communications agency, digital agency, design studio or advertiser.
The professions
Product Designer
Brand designer
Lead UI
Digital Art Director
Graphic designer
UX/UI Designer
Interaction designer
international
Can I study abroad?
It is not possible to study abroad during this course, but you do have the option of doing work placements abroad if you have opted for initial training.
admission process
How do I apply for this course?
A quick and easy online admissions process
Have completed 180 ECTS (level 6, Bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
In the field of visual creation, graphic design or digital creation
Successful completion of the Sup de Pub entrance exams
1 written test and 1 oral test
Completion of 240 ECTS (Bac+4 or equivalent)
In the field of visual creation, graphic design, digital creation or design thinking.
Successful completion of the Sup de Pub entrance exams
For entry to the 1-year course, experience in a company in the visual creation, graphic design, digital creation or design thinking sector is compulsory to join the course.
Preparing your application and applying online
Results received within 5 days after the tests
Examination of the application and invitation to the admission tests
Completion of online registration
Tests and interview with the jury
Certification
What certification is awarded
by the MSc Lead Design?
This programme delivers the state-recognised RNCP level 7 “Artistic Director” certification.
RNCP Code 38589 | Diploma Code 16X32101 | Registered on 2 February 2024 for a period of 3 years.
Issued by Sup de Pub, Centre d’Études Européen Ouest, Centre d’Études Européen du Sud-Ouest, Centre d’Études Européen Rhône-Alpes.
Blocks of skills for certification :
1 – Building and analysing a strategic and technical intelligence process in the creative field
2 – Devising the creative strategy and budget for a creative project
3 – Design the conceptual and visual creation
4 – Manage the operational implementation of creative projects
5 – Managing a lead design project (specialisation block)
THIS CERTIFICATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CAPITALISING ON BLOCKS OF SKILLS.
Fees and grants
What are the financing conditions?
Find out here about tuition fees by campus and by year of study, as well as the solutions and grants available to help finance your studies.
| Initial MSc1 | Initial MSc2 | MSc1+2 sandwich course | MSc2 sandwich course | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 10 850 € | 11 350 € | 23 000 € | 11 850 € |
Possible financial assistance
- Student loan can be negotiated with one of our partner banks
- Staggered payments
- Discount for siblings enrolled in one of the group’s schools
- 100% of tuition fees paid for work-linked students
go further
Our events
Meet us at our Open Days and ask our teams or our students any questions you may have.
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